Defense Sec Hegseth runs into a US Senate buzzsaw as He Begs for Money….

Pete Hegseth has been a roll since he got sworn in ….

Casting himself as ‘Warrior’ enamoured of the Fight’….

Wanting the Defense Dept. to become the ‘War Dept’ and being the over all tough guy…..

BUT?

His NOT being respectful to Congress IS coming back to bite him….

Hegseth IS asking for a LOT of money principally for a ‘War’ that ain’t defined or popular….

Before a Congress which has watched its friend in uniform get kicked out the door while the lawmakers get looked down on…..

Hegseth came before them….

They cut him NO Breaks….

 

On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alongside Gen. Dan Caine, made the Trump administration’s case for why the U.S. military requires some $87.6 billion in new funding, the bulk of which would be directed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East….

…

Hegseth said at the top of the hearing that the supplemental funding was an “urgent, necessary injection of resources” for the department’s needs. He didn’t directly mention the Iran war in his opening statement.

“We know the best way to create peace is to prepare for war, to deter it,” said Hegseth, who restarted his remarksseveral times after protesters disrupted his opening statement. “That’s exactly what the Department of War is doing: building a force so capable that it would be absurd for anyone to challenge it.”

The Pentagon’s last major briefing on the war was in May. Tuesday’s hourslong hearing was an opportunity for Hegseth to provide lawmakers on both sides of the aisle — and the American public — more clarity on where the war is headed.

The emerging theme, as Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said at one point in the hearing: “We need straight answers.”

…

In Thursday’s hearing, Murray said in her opening remarksthat President Donald Trump repeatedly promised that a deal to end the Iran war was near and the war would be over soon.

But given the latest escalation with Iran and the additional money being requested, [Sen] Murray warned the U.S. could be sliding into “another forever war.”

…

The military leaders did not escape criticism from Republicans.

Regarding his leadership, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, cited The New York Times report that Hegseth disproportionately blocked the promotions of several women and people of color.

Regarding Iran, Kennedy wanted simple answers to his series of questions.

He asked what would happen if the U.S. were to stop its military actions against Iran and brought service members home. Caine didn’t directly answer the question, saying the senator was raising a hypothetical and that it was a political calculation.

Kennedy asked the general whether Iran would “put tolls” on the Strait of Hormuz. Caine again said it was a hypothetical question, prompting Kennedy to say: “This is serious as four heart attacks and a stroke.”

Kennedy turned to Hegseth, who also didn’t satisfy the senator’s desire for “straight talk.”

Kennedy asked the defense secretary if Iran would convene to build up its nuclear capabilities if the U.S. ceased operations.

When Hegseth didn’t directly answer his question, the senator replied: “We need straight answers.”

…

Late in the hearing, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said the Trump administration’s efforts have been “an utter and complete failure to win this war.”

Hegseth took umbrage with that characterization, saying Peters’ statement was “irresponsible” and smears service members.

“You, sir, are the failure,” Peters retorted. “Not the men and women who are on that front line, not the men and women who hold up their honor with distinction,” he added, raising his voice.

“You don’t have a long-term plan to actually win this war. Win the war!” Peters implored Hegseth.

The defense secretary responded by saying Peters has “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” and accused Democrats of playing partisan politics and not funding the troops.

Across the hearing, several Democratic lawmakers nodded to their constituents’ confusion and frustration with the war….

…

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said military officials were “asking for unlimited money for bombs” and that Americans were upset “because the words you have used in the past don’t add up.”

Gillibrand cited the administration’s conflicting statements on whether Iran’s nuclear sites were obliterated.

“The American people don’t know who to believe or what to believe,” she said. “They just know they can’t afford their healthcare. They can’t afford their food. They can’t afford housing.”….

More….

image….Fortune..